Preparing for and coping with the unique challenges of training, being selected and excelling at an Olympic or Paralympic Games can be a test for even seasoned elite athletes.

To provide support, the Australian Government has allocated additional funding for counselling services to support athletes on their journey to and beyond the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games through the National Athlete Counselling Support Network Initiative.

This funding is on top of the ‘Green and Gold’ project, which has seen the Australian Government invest a further $2.5 million in Olympic sports in the lead up to the games.

This investment will provide all Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) shadow squad members with access to an extended network of psychological support and athlete career and education services.

Available services include career counselling such as transitional support, career planning and personal development as well as psychological services to enhance performance, provide post games de-brief support and maximise psychological wellbeing.

The National Athlete Counselling Support Network is a network supported through existing resources and expertise across the National Institute Network (NIN), including sport psychology providers and Athlete Career and Education (ACE).

The funding which will be administered by the Australian Institute of Sport is in addition to the support services offered by the National ACE and sport psychology networks athletes may currently be accessing within their home institute or academy of sport, or through their team psychologist appointed by their National Sporting Organisation (NSO).

Athletes can gain access to the additional services by contacting their home institute or academy of sport psychologist, ACE consultant, or NSO-appointed team psychologist who will identify areas of need and the most suitable support service consultant to address those needs.

For more information, a brochure detailing the available services and contacts in each state and territory is available from: the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Committees; National Sporting Organisations, State Institutes and Academies of Sport and the Australian Institute of Sport.